Rotary inertial thermodynamic multi-stage mass-flow divider

Abstract

A multi-stage rotary inertial device and method in which rotary inertial thermodynamic impedance is used in the separation of materials according to their diferences in mass. Thus, an input flow composed of substances having two different masses is separated into two output flows having preferred concentrations, respectively, according to their different masses. Rotary inertial thermodynamic pumping is used for operation of intermediate separator stages. This can be controlled from outside the rotating device by selectively supplying heat to the rotating device.

I claim: 
     
       1. Rotary inertial thermodynamic apparatus for separating molecules according to their relative masses, comprising a plurality of separation means coupled with respect to the flow of fluid by a rotary inertial thermodynamic pump means. 
     
     
       2. A rotary inertial thermodynamic apparatus as in claim 1, in which said pump means comprises at least one conduit means connecting the flow outlet of at least one separation means to the flow inlet of at least one other separation means, said conduit means comprising an inlet, a first conduit portion extending to a maximum radial distance further from the axis of rotation than the radial distance at which is said inlet, a second conduit portion extending from said maximum radial distance to an outlet at a distance from said axis of rotation less than said maximum radial distance, and a third conduit portion joining said first and said second conduit portions at said maximum distance. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the path of flow through said pump means passes through a flow-resistance means. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which heat is coupled into a selected portion of said pump means. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as in claim 4, in which said coupling of heat is accomplished by illuminating said selected portion of said conduit. 
     
     
       6. A rotary inertial thermodynamic method for separating molecules according to their relative masses, comprising rotating a plurality of separation means, and rotary inertial thermodynamically pumping fluid among said plurality of separation means. 
     
     
       7. A method as in claim 6, wherein said pumping is accomplished by heating a portion of a conduit joining at least two said separation means. 
     
     
       8. A method as in claim 7, in which said heating is accomplished by illuminating said portion.